Supper to benefit victims of house fire in Carmel

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Although Tim and Veronica Robinson and their two young daughters escaped with cuts and burns when their Carmel home burned Sunday, Feb. 18, they lost absolutely everything in the fire that leveled the house and left only the chimney standing.

More than 50 firefighters from Carmel, Hampden, Hermon, Levant, Stetson, Etna and Newburgh battled the blaze that night and, it appears, people throughout eastern Maine are continuing to come to the aid of the family.

The Rev. Mark Bruce of the Carmel Congregational Church called this week to tell us that a benefit spaghetti supper is planned for the Robinson family from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Carmel Masonic Lodge on Route 69.

Sponsored by the Men’s Fellowship Team of the Carmel Congregational Church and the Benevolent Lodge No. 87 of Carmel, Bruce said that all proceeds will benefit the Robinson family.

Admission to the meal that includes salads, breads and ice cream is $5 for adults and $2 for children under the age of 12.

However, any amount you care to donate above and beyond the price of admission would be most gratefully appreciated.

Bruce vividly recalls the night of the fire when the two-story wooden structure burned to the ground.

“I was standing outside the house, which is right beside the Masonic Lodge, when it first started to get out of control,” he recalled. “I was standing next to the head of the Lodge, and we said we’ve got to do something for this family,” which resulted in the benefit supper.

Bruce said the “outpouring of love from the community and surrounding area” has been outstanding.

And it goes without saying organizers of this benefit hope that concern will make this fund-raiser for the Robinsons a great success.

If you cannot attend the benefit but would like to help the family, you can do so through the Carmel Congregational Church, P.O. Box 111, Carmel 04419.

Families and Children Together of Bangor, otherwise known as FACT, is offering a free Legal Education Program from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 24, at the FACT office, 16 Penn Plaza, Bangor.

Preregistration for the program, however, must be made by Friday, March 16, and can be done by calling FACT at 941-2347.

The free, two-part program will provide grandparents, aunts and uncles who are raising children with information about the legal system as it regards guardianship, adoption and child protective proceedings.

Part one of the session will be a panel discussion with local lawyers. The second part of the program will enable attendees to meet privately with a lawyer.

While you are finding out what you need to know about the law and how to get the legal assistance you need, a program for children will be provided and food will be available.

FACT is supported by United Way of Eastern Maine, and also receives financial support from the Maine Department of Human Services and the Brookdale Foundation.

FACT serves families throughout Maine, and its services are free and voluntary.

For information about FACT and what it can do to help you and your family, call Barbara Kates at 941-2347.

Darling’s of Bangor is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner and auction to benefit one of its own.

Darling’s advertising manager Mike Throckmorton of Old Town was diagnosed with lung cancer in December and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment, which is expected to continue for some time.

The benefit begins with the meal from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by the auction from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the East Orrington Congregational Church on the Johnson Mill Road.

All proceeds will go toward helping with ongoing medical expenses incurred by Throckmorton’s illness, according to Heather Hogan of Darling’s.

Support for the benefit is coming from a wide variety of community-minded businesses and individuals.

The dinner is being provided in cooperation with Olive Garden, Frank’s Bake Shop, Bangor Rye, Governor’s Restaurant and Sam’s Club.

A multitude of area businesses have contributed items for the benefit auction, as well as the University of Maine men’s hockey team, Ricky Craven Motorsports and professional baseball player Mike Bordick.

Tickets are $5 each or six for $20 and are available at Darling’s Ford/VW/Audi, Darling’s Auto Mall and Darling’s Honda/Nissan/Volvo.

Tickets also can be purchased at the door the evening of the event.

For information about the benefit, call Hogan at 941-1330.

Sophie Seavey of Bangor, speaking for members and supporters of the Bangor Area Children’s Choir, called to issue a public “thank you” for the support it received during a recent fund-raiser.

Next month, the Bangor Area Children’s Choir will represent Maine in the Festival of States Celebration of the 225th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in Washington, D.C.

“We raised almost $7,000,” Seavey said of the benefit spaghetti supper served by U.S. Rep. John Baldacci the first Saturday in March at the Bangor Elks Club.

“In terms of parents and the community, we are particularly impressed and appreciative, and we want to thank everybody for the support.”

The group is nearing its $35,000 goal, she said, which it hopes to reach shortly.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.